AI Deepfakes Trigger Global Crackdown as Nations Rush to Pass New Laws

AI Deepfakes Trigger Global Crackdown as Nations Rush to Pass New Laws Governments worldwide are enacting new regulations and launching investigations to combat the rising threat of AI-generated deepfakes, targeting their use in politics, pornography, and misinformation [55923][58673][12872]. South Korea has enacted the world’s first comprehensive artificial intelligence safety law, placing direct legal responsibility on AI developers and service providers to prevent harmful content [55923]. The law specifically mandates safeguards against deepfake videos, audio, and AI-driven misinformation, establishing a clear framework for accountability [55923]. Simultaneously, South Korean regulators have opened a probe into Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, from his company xAI. The investigation by the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) focuses on allegations that the tool can generate sexually exploitative deepfake images [58673]. The legislative push is a direct response to incidents where deepfake technology has been used to manipulate democratic processes. In Nepal, a fabricated video showing three top political figures forming an alliance spread online ahead of national elections, despite the meeting never occurring [57866]. Political analysts warn such forgeries threaten to mislead voters and distort public debate [57866]. Following this global trend, India has proposed its own rules requiring technology companies to identify and remove deepfakes from their platforms [12872]. The Indian government’s initiative highlights a concerted international effort to control AI-generated forgeries, though experts note the technical and social challenges of enforcement [12872]. The warnings extend to future elections. A consortium of experts, including Nobel peace prize winner Maria Ressa and researchers from Harvard, Oxford, and Yale, has warned that “AI bot swarms” could be deployed to sabotage the 2028 U.S. presidential election by imitating humans to infest social media with misinformation [56357]. World's First AI Safety Law Enacted, Targets Deepfakes and Misinformation South Korea Probes Elon Musk's AI Chatbot Over Deepfake Porn Fake Leaders, Real Fear: AI Deepfakes Target Nepal Election India Proposes New Rules to Combat Deepfake Threat AI Bot Swarms Could Sabotage 2028 U.S. Election, Experts Warn